Helen Anna Bailly (1932 – 2014)
GHENT—The afternoon of December 11, 2014, Helen Bailly, 82, passed away peacefully at the Whittier Rehabilitation Nursing Home surrounded by her family. She was born in Waterbury, CT, April 12, 1932 to Helen and Thomas Edmonds.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Henry.
Mrs. Bailly is also survived by: her sons, Henry “Jay”, Thomas and his wife Jean Geraghty; her daughters, Carol and Susanna; her grandsons, Christopher John “C.J.” Bailly, Henry John Bailly and his wife, Dan, Tim and Pat Taney and their wives; her granddaughters, Sarah and Rhiannon Bailly; her great-grandsons, Damien Leibold, Ryder Froio, Jack, Ryan and Robert Taney; her great-granddaughters, Lyla Bailly and Sania Taney; her sister in-law, Mabel Bailly; her nephew and nieces, Bob, Maureen and Nancy and their families; her cousins, Elaine Wurzinger of Watertown, CT, Bruce, Phil and Richard Bailly and their families. She was recently predeceased by her son, Christopher.
Mrs. Bailly lived a full life, and left behind an enduring legacy of four children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She will forever be remembered for her dedication and loyalty to her family, as a wife, as a loving mother and as a doting and warm grandmother. Even with her daily struggles and pain, her sense of humor shined through. She remained a source of strength throughout her life; a rock for her family until the very end, a legacy her daughters have embodied.
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the care professionals at Columbia-Greene Dialysis Center in Ghent. Through the years of treatment, Mrs. Bailly enjoyed the stories and joys that were shared among the staff and fellow patients. “Have a good run” was their staple motto.
Calling hours to memorialize her and her son, Chris’s life will be held at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie, Thursday, December 18, 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. A private service will be held for the immediate family.
Donations in Mrs. Bailly’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice or to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society.
Melvin W. Hoffman (1922 – 2014)
VALATIE—Melvin W. Hoffman, 92, of Niverville died December 12, 2014 at Barnwell Health Facilities.
Born September 25, 1922 in Albany, he was the son of the late Walter and Marie (Cramer) Hoffman.
Mr. Hoffman owned and operated Hoffman’s Sharpening and Repair in Niverville for many years. He made numerous friends with his big smile and friendly personality. He was a gifted woodworker and enjoyed being in his workshop teaching his grandson, Scotty,d his fine woodworking skills. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and hard worker who always provided for his family.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Eloise (Bastian) Hoffman; his daughter, Cynthia Face (Scott) of Hudson; his son, Christopher Hoffman (Ed Brown) of Cornville, ME; three sisters, Dorothy Jones of Voorheesville, Grace Boel of Castleton and Janet Laverty of Rexford; his grandson, Scott Face, Jr., (Courtney) and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Robert, Nyal and Walter Hoffman, Jr., Virginia Tompkins and Elizabeth Brown.
Funeral services and burial will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany 12205.
Mr. Hoffman’s family thanks the staff on the third and fifth floors of Barnwell Health Facilities for all their care.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Sophie Heron Pryshlak (1928 – 2014)
PHILMONT—Sophie Heron Pryshlak, age 86, died peacefully at Pine Haven Nursing Home, Sunday, December 14, 2014.
Born November 20, 1928 in Stottville, she lived in Hudson for most of her life. She worked as bookkeeper and office manager for S.T. Hudson’s Son Plumbing and Heating, a family business owned by her first husband, Fred D. Heron, whom she married in April 1949.
She also worked at the Columbia Children’s Center in the 1980s and 90s. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Hudson.
Mrs. Pryshlak was a warm and friendly person to everyone. She helped many customers as part of her job, “occasionally speaking Polish to those who needed it.”
She married John Pryshlak, February 14, 1981.
Mrs. Pryshlak was a wonderful mother to her five children. Her family was her life and she found great joy caring for everyone. She welcomed all new additions to her family: daughter and sons-in-law, as well as, step-children later on in her life. She was delighted with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include: her children, Nancy Heron Smith (Timothy), Richard D. Heron (Angelique Bankert), Janet Heron Bernockie (Leo), Beverly Heron Dusenbery (Mark), Peggy Heron Mackerer (Thomas) and daughter-in-law, Sharon Getty; two step-children, Camille Pryshlak McComb (Joseph) and Elaine Pryshlak Gross; her brother, John Bessman of Saugerties; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her first husband, Frederick D. Heron; granddaughter, Paige O. Mackerer; second husband, John Pryshlak and 10 siblings.
A funeral mass was held December 17, 2014 at St. Mary’s Church, 429 East Allen Street, Hudson. Burial was in Cedar Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Columbia Children’s Center, 142 Union Turnpike, Hudson 12534.
The family thanks the staff at Pine Haven for their loving care and compassion.
Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences for the family.
Kathleen M. Brosnan (1930 – 2014)
SOMERS—Kathleen M. Brosnan, 84, of New Windsor and formerly of Kinderhook died Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Somers Manor Nursing Home.
She was born November 21, 1930 in London, England and was a wonderful mother who opened her home to all of the children in the neighborhood, took in stray animals, delivered Meals-on-Wheels and truly loved caring for others. Her courage and love will be missed.
She is survived by: seven children, Jennifer Brosnan of New Windsor, Peggy Brosnan and her husband Dave Linthicum of Bristol, MD, John Brosnan and his wife Theresa Brosnan of Dalton, MA, Peter Brosnan and Dottie Haines of Clifton Park, Paul Brosnan and his wife Paula Brosnan of Fort Smith, AR, Alison Becker and her husband Sean Becker of Kinderhook and Donna Beyer of New Windsor; two brothers, Arnold Chalk of Bexley-Heath, England and Raymond Chalk of Erith, England, their wives and nieces and nephews; seven grandchildren, Julia, Kaitlyn, Emma, Donie, Jonathan, Brandon and Sydnie; great-grandson Logan and seven other great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward D. Brosnan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, December 18, 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, Route 9, Valatie, with the Reverend George Fleming officiating. Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany 12205.
Louise Clemens McCord (1938 – 2014)
COPAKE—Louise Clemens McCord of Copake died suddenly at her home, December 6.
The joy of her life was helping where and whenever help was needed. She was a dedicated and adored second grade teacher at Roeliff Jansen Central School and later Taconic Hills Central School from 1966 until her retirement in 1994.
“Retirement” for Ms. McCord meant she was free to volunteer for many groups and programs. She was a longtime volunteer for the Community Ride Program in Columbia County and the Berkshire Humane Society’s summer camp for kids program. Her lifelong love of dogs brought her enormous happiness, from training in obedience (achieving the coveted Utility Dog title in obedience competition with one of her many dearly-loved golden retrievers, Honey) to training for therapy work with several of her “goldens.” She and her “goldens” made therapy dog visits to nursing homes, hospitals, veterans’ homes and hospice, often on a weekly basis. She also made weekly therapy dog visits to pre-kindergarten and special education classrooms at Taconic Hills, as well as the monthly Dogs Love Books program for children at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library with her dog, Cookie. She was always there to help with fundraising events for local humane societies and other charities. She was an active member of the Great Barrington Kennel Club for more than 35 years. She was the recipient of numerous awards and citations for her volunteer work over the years, including the New York State Office for the Aging Columbia County 2014 Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Award, for which she received a citation from the New York State Assembly in May.
She is survived by: her brother, Herbert Weymouth McCord and her sister-in-law, Judi McCord of Naples, Florida; her nephew, Michael Stewart McCord (Elizabeth) of Annapolis, Maryland; her niece, Jennifer Louise McCord Smith (Nea) of Long Island; three great-nieces, Vivian Lynton McCord, Abigail Louise Smith and Emily Rose Smith; as well as her beloved rescued golden retriever, Cookie, and kitties, Chablis and Merlot.
She was predeceased by her parents, Frank Post McCord and Alice Weymouth McCord.
Memorial donations may be made to the Roe Jan Food Pantry, c/o Lois Edelman, P.O. Box 343, Hillsdale 12529, Roeliff Jansen Community Library, 9091 Route 22, Hillsdale 12529, Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201, or Heartland Golden Retriever Rescue, 234 Morrell Road #118, Knoxville, TN 37919-5876.
A memorial service is being planned for spring. Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake. To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net
Patricia S. Normand (1936 – 2014)
LIVINGSTON—Patricia S. Normand, 78, of Germantown died December 13, 2014 at the Livingston Hills Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center.
She was born May 17, 1936 in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of the late Charles and Margaret Stromer.
She is survived by: her son and daughter-in-law, Shayne and Phyllis Normand and five grandchildren, Christian J. Region, Nicole M. Normand, Alison L. Normand, Madelyn R. Normand and Brandon C. Normand.
She was predeceased by her husband, Orville T. Normand, who died December 11, 2011.
Services will be private Saturday, December 20, 2014 with the Reverend Theodore Gerken officiating.
Interment will be in the Viewmont Rural Cemetery, Clermont.
Memorial donations are requested to the Northeastern Alzheimer’s Association, 4 Pine West Plaza Suite 405, Albany 12205.
Arrangements are with the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown.
Manuel J. Duarte (1932 – 2014)
GHENT—Manuel “Manny” J. Duarte, 82, of Ghent died Wednesday, December 10, 2014.
He was born in West Barnstable, MA, June 25, 1932 to Louisa and Joseph Duarte.
He graduated from the University of Massachusetts School of Agriculture in 1956. He began dairy farming in Ghent with his wife, Jeanette in 1960. In later years, he transitioned to raising crops and beef, and remained active in farming with the assistance of his sons, grandson and granddaughter-in-law. With their help, he was able to continue to enjoy his passion for farming until he died.
Always hard-working and family-oriented, Mr. Duarte was known for his integrity, fairness and generosity.
He is survived by: his wife, Jeanette; his sister, Mary O’Neil of Barnstable, MA; three sons, Manuel, Jr., David, and Darin Duarte; five daughters, Marjorie Griffin, Elizabeth Kromer, Cynthia Brakman, Marian Dodds and Katherine Hartmann; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Calling hours will be Thursday, December 18, 5 to 7 p.m.; the funeral service will be Friday, December 19, 10 a.m., both at Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Avenue, Chatham.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Columbia County Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund, 1024 Route 66, Ghent 12075.
Antoinette Palumbo (1926 – 2014)
GERMANTOWN—Antoinette Palumbo passed away Sunday December 7, 2014.
She is survived by: her sons, Joseph (Rosemary), Michael (Maureen) and Robert (Maureen); eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and sisters, Angie LaChapell, Mildred Ranaghan and Barbara Connelly. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph.
A Mass of the Christian Burial was conducted December 17 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church of Schrub Oak.
There was a celebration of her life, December 14 at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown.
Lafrance P. Bell (1941 – 2014)
LIVINGSTON—Lafrance P. Bell, 73, of Livingston died December 10, 2014 at home.
Born February 12, 1941 in Queens, he attended PS 90 before moving to Columbia County, where he graduated from Roe Jan High School in 1960.
He was a carpenter by trade most of his life.
Mr. Bell enlisted in the Army, December 12, 1963 and was stationed at Fort Bragg, where he was a life guard. After his discharge in December 1965, he enlisted in the National Guard. Mr. Bell was a member of the Federation of Polish Sportsmen in Greenport. He enjoyed playing chess and loved canoeing with his granddaughter.
He was predeceased by: his parents, Nelson and Arline (Barber) Bell; brother, George Bell; a niece, Nancy Pitcher and his beloved companion of 35 years, Margaret (Peggy) Shinskey.
Mr. Bell leaves behind: a brother, Norman Bell; two sons, Russell Bell and Robert Bell; two step-children, Scott Thomas and Lily Meltz; three grandsons; three granddaughters and three great-grandchildren along with nieces, nephews and many friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to Columbia/Greene Community Hospice or the Wounded Veterans Fund.
Arrangements are with the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown.
